newsletter 1st June 2014

Newsletter 1st June 2014
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord.
At the end of the gospel today we put out the Paschal Candle which represents the risen Christ in the days after Easter. The smoke suggests the cloud that hid the Lord from the apostles’ sight. For the rest of the year the Candle will be kept beside the font.
There is a second Collection today for World Communications, the main purpose of which is to support the work of the Press Office of the Church in this country.
Next Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.
After some very busy weeks, perhaps a little quieter this week, with time to catch on one or two things.
You may have noticed the magnolia tree in the flowerbed behind the house. This was a gift from the First Communion Group. I have been watering it carefully and it is beginning to come into flower. It will be a special reminder of this group of children. It seems it can grow to a great height so we will have to prune it carefully.
The pool is proving to be very popular on the warmer days. There is a basket of swim suits in the Angelus room, but it is difficult for me to know what to choose. If you have some that you have grown out of, you might think of adding them to the collection. On Sunday evenings I collect them up and put them through the washing machine.
Prayers for all at the moment who are coping with exams – A levels and GCSEs as well as some at University. It was always a great pleasure to hand in the last paper and then think about enjoying May week.
If you go to Mont St. Michel, pancakes are a popular dish. Prepare you pancake mixture in the normal way. Mix together some soft cheese, such as Brie or Camembert with a Bechamel sauce. Season well and set aside. Make the pancakes in the usual way and stack them flat. Heat the cheese sauce gently and spread a generous layer on each pancake, roll them up and arrange in a single layer in a buttered dish. Dust with grated cheese and bake in a moderate oven for about 20 minutes to melt the cheese.
By now you will have noted the new buses operating on route 54. They are the latest Dennis Alexander Enviro 400s with electric as well as diesel propulsion. On the steep hill outside the station, the diesel cuts in almost at once. The route operator has changed from Metrobus to Stagecoach, which explains the arrival of the new vehicles.
And a prayer:
O God, you make all things work together for the good of those who love you. Kindle the abiding fire of your charity on our hearts, that the longings you inspire in us may be fulfilled in accordance with your will.
We have not had any Hopkins for some time:
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is frickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He Fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.
The Bishop will commission the new Eucharistic ministers at the 6.30 Mass today. Thanks to those who have agreed to help with this task.
The wedding season is taking place, so here are some jokes for the best man:
At school, on sports day, he got the job of catching the javelin –
He’s the only man I know who gets threatening calls from the Samaritans –
And so on ……you’ve forgotten the rest.
The tales of Herodotus are a favourite: here I something.
Some Egyptians reverence the crocodile as a sacred beast; others do not but treat it as an enemy. The strongest belief in its sanctity is to be found in Thebes and around lake Moeris; in these places they keep one particular crocodile, which they tame, putting rings of glass or gold into its ears and bracelets round its front feet and giving it special food and ceremonial offerings.
Best wishes to you all
Mnsignor Nicholas Rothon